Shane Franklin Miller, 45, was on the loose a day after the killings in Shingletown, about 230 miles northeast of San Francisco, Shasta County sheriff's officials said.

"There is a manhunt for him right now," Lt. Dave Kent said. "He's a prime suspect. We're not looking for anybody else."

Schools in the area were under lockdown, the Record Searchlight of Redding reported.

Kent said deputies received a call from Miller's residence about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday. When they arrived, they found the bodies of Miller's wife, Sandy, 34, and two daughters, Shelby, 8, and Shasta, 4. Shane Miller wasn't there.

Kent said he did not know who placed the call.

Investigators have released a photo of Miller and said he may be driving a gold-colored 2010 Dodge Mega Cab pickup with a camper shell. He's considered armed and extremely dangerous.

Miller may be heading to a cabin in Ferndale, where several weapons may be stored, authorities have said. Ferndale is about 180 miles west of Shingletown, in Humboldt County, or a drive of nearly four hours over rural highways.

Lt. Steve Knight, a Humboldt County sheriff's spokesman, said authorities there were working with Shasta County sheriff's officials, but he declined to provide any details about the search.

The two-story house that authorities were called to is nestled among pine trees with a barn and greenhouse in the back, the Record Searchlight reported. Horses and llamas graze on the property.

Kent said deputies were called there last month regarding a domestic dispute.